WINOOSKI -- The Vermont Student Assistance Corporation is going to be able to continue to service education loans for Vermonters.

U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy and U.S. Rep. Peter Welch visited VSAC headquarters in Winooski on Monday where they highlighted the role the nonprofit student lender plays in providing Vermonters the resources they need to pursue higher education.

Leahy and Welch say a provision in an early budget agreement, passed in December, could have affected VSAC by removing a requirement that the Department of Education contract with nonprofit student loan servicers.

The appropriations bill, signed into law by President Barack Obama last month will also increase funding levels for some VSAC programs while also increasing the maximum award for Pell Grants.